Student Teaching Journal
Week # 1 1-3-2012
Today was my first day Student Teaching. Our first class was 8th grade English. I was introduced to the students. We talked about New Years Resolutions and Mrs. Verlanic assigned the class to write 3 paragraphs about their resolutions.
After 8th Grade English we returned to our 2nd Graders. I was introduced to them and learned their names. There are only 10 Second Graders. I am excited to be in this class. The kids are great.
Today we got used to being back in school. We didn’t do much work. Mrs. Verlanic explained the January centers to the students and I ran a few of the papers that needed to be ran.
1-4-2012
Today was a “real” day in Second Grade. We did our morning work and had all of the regular lessons. It was nice to see how the classroom ran on a day to day basis. Mrs. Verlanic runs a tight ship. She is very organized and excellent at classroom management. I feel lucky to be learning from her.
1-5-2012
Mrs. Verlanic took the Second Graders skiing today so I taught 8th Grade English by myself today. The did their vocabulary books and journals.
Today was ski day for the elementary school. I am the only one in Second Grade. Mrs. Verlanic left me a list of things to get done today while the class is gone. I re-did the January Calendar, got 8th Grade English ideas, Looked up lesson plans, and studied our Read Well Program. I also brought my criket machine and make name tags for all of us.
1-6-2012
8th Graders went to the computer lab and did Wordle with their New Years Resolutions. This was a fun idea to do with them. They turned out awesome and the students enjoyed making them. In second grade we had my first show and tell. The students loved to show some of the things that they got for Christmas. Then we moved into our Snowflake Unit. We talked about Snowflake Bently and did a fact chart. Mrs. V and I went through our lesson plans for next week. She showed me that she always copies the morning work for the following week the Friday or Thursday before. She has folders for each day of the week in her desk that she would put the appropriate morning work in. Its always good to be organized.
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Week #2 1-9-2012
In 8th Grade we reviewed for their semester exams that are on Wednesday. We told them what was going to be on them, and then finished our New Years Resolutions. In Second Grade Mrs. Verlanic went over morning work, and then I sat with her and the reading groups and learned how the groups work and what to do on a day to day basis. This afternoon Mrs. Verlanic was observed on a fun science lesson that she did. It was the Ice Cube Experiment. The kids really enjoyed it. They learned that heat melts ice, and that the solids turn into liquids.
1-10-2012
8th Grade did their Vocab and Writing into the day. Then Mrs.V read to the students the book,
Touching Spirit Bear.
Second Grade I explained the morning work to the students and sat in with the reading groups. Math we worked on double digit addition. Then the students went to P.E..
1-11-2012
The 8th Graders had their semester tests today. Their class period was 2 hours, Mrs. V stayed for the first hour and then I stayed for the last hour by myself. I graded their Vocab part of their test and then read over the 5 paragraph essays that they wrote.
The second graders did their morning work and I did the reading groups by my self today. The kids did double digit addition with Mrs. V today and then finished up the Snowflake Bentley unit. Mrs. V and I went over lesson plans together and I put all the information in my own lesson plan books so that Mrs. V and I can have the same information. My University Supervisor, Sue Peterson, came in to see my today and we had our first meeting. She used to teach here in Drummond and she was an excellent teacher. I am glad that I can get feedback from her. I will help me.
1-12-2012
Since its semester tests we did not have to go to the 8th Graders today. I got to watch Mrs. V do the calendar today and it was fun to be with the second graders all day. We got to say the pledge with them in the morning and do Read Well and Think Pad. When reading groups came one group had to do their written and oral tests. We have to time them and write how many words per minute that they read and then chart their success. It was fun to see how that worked and to see how good the students are doing and how well they are progressing. This afternoon we did a fun snowflake art project and it was fun to see the kids so excited. Mrs. V and I got our lesson plans and morning work all ready for the next week. We copied papers for the following week and got organized.
1-13-2012
We didn’t have the 8th Graders again today. Mrs. V let me do the calendar today by myself and it was fun to get to do that. The kids let me know when I was not doing something the way that it is usually done. It was an early out day for the students. They get out at 11:00am today and then the teachers stay til school is usually over to do their semester grades. Mrs. V and I worked on plans for 8th grade and tried to map out my teaching schedule for the rest of my Student teaching. Then I helped her grade the 8th Graders New Years Resolution papers and Semester Tests. It is nice to get to see 8th grade and second grade. I think it will be good experience.
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Week #3 1-16-2012
Happy Martin Luther King Day!! In 8th grade we watched a documentary on MLK and then discussed him and what he stood for. It was interesting to me that not many students knew a lot about him and that they were so unaware that all these awful things happened not too long ago. I hope it opened their eyes to the struggles that some people are still having. This 8th grade bunch in a little interesting. They do not show much emotion about anything. I can never tell if they are enjoying what we are doing, or if they hate it. None of them talk much and it is strange. Maybe its just a junior high thing. … who knows.
The second graders had their spelling pretests, morning work, and reading groups. This week I am in charge of the reading group that is on Unit 8. Caleb, Ben, Cooper, Tyler, and Hyrum are in it. They are all good readers and they get through material pretty quickly. I enjoy having my own reading group and being responsible for them and what they do.
After lunch the second graders had their double digit addition test and then we learned about Martin Luther King ourselves. We had a book packet that we had them complete and then we watched a United Streaming about MLK. After school we had an IEP meeting for ShyAnn. This was my first one that I went to. I really like how all the members are there and just wanting her to be in a place that will help be succeed.
1-17-2012
The 8th grade was given the MLK packet to complete that had more information in it. We finished the movie and then worked on the packet.
In second grade I hade my reading group and we did not get everything done that was planned so I will have to move my lesson plans over into tomorrow. I need better time management skills and I need to make sure that the students are always on task. Today I am also starting my first real subject that I am teaching by myself. Money!! Money is complicated and I think it will be a good unit for me to start on so I can see how I do as a teacher. Mrs. V videotaped me and my first lesson so that I can see myself and see how I am doing as a teacher and see what I can improve on. When I watched the video I did not think that I sounded like that or looked like that. There were some things that I really need to work on. I didn’t even tell the kids why we were going to learn about money... EEK. There is a whole lot to work on. But I am having a lot of fun with this class. We present a Reader’s Theater on next Monday so we are practicing that today. It is about Snowflake Bentley.
1-18-2012
We had Vocab and Writing into the Day with Mrs. V and the 8th grade. I went over the words with the 8th Graders and then they worked for about 30 min. on the vocab and then Mrs. V read from their book.
In second grade, I did my reading group and did not get everything done again! For math I did a fun unit where we talked about money and had the students buy things from our fake store that we set up. Mrs. V and I both had a store and I bought suckers, candies, and fruit roll-ups for the students to buy. They really enjoyed being able to buy candy and food and use their fake money to do it.
After math we started in on our Polar unit. We did Polar cards and polar pocket for the cards to go in. While the students were working on that Mrs. V let me go down and copy a bunch of her unit ideas and things that I can use in my future classroom. I am excited to be able to use these things and thankful to Mrs. V for being so willing to give me things. She is a great teacher.
1-19-2012
Holy Smokes! We got about a foot and a half of snow last night. So school did not start til about 10:00am this morning. So we didn’t have 8th grade today. When we came in we stared with calendar and I got to do it again. I think that the calendar is fun. There is a whole lot of things that you can learn from the calendar. Then we did just a little bit of morning work and our reading was cut short too. In math I did 5-2 and Xtra- Math (Which is a computer math that helps the students learn their math facts). It was not too exciting. But we needed to go over the coins more so that they can have better recognition right away. After school we went over our lesson plans and got our morning work together. Then we had an IEP for Dylan. He really struggles in the regular classroom and needs some extra help to be successful.
1-20-2012
Gone today for my orientation seminar.... but by the time I had gotten there it had been cancelled for bad roads. Well that would have been good to know before we left at 8:30am. I guess I needed to check my e-mail more often.
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Week #4 1-23-2012
I start 2 subjects today!! I still have my math and now I am going to take over both the reading groups so I will have reading too.
In 8th grade we talked about “I am from” poems and read an example. Then we handed out a paper that had a “plug and chug” formula for the poems. It is a fun poem. We assigned the students to have them done by Thursday.
In second grade we discussed morning work. Then since I am in charge of Reading I gave the students their pre-test for spelling and then did both reading groups. I still need to work on time management. For math I had a worksheet for them that helped re-enforce the counting on in money and then they did Xtra-Math. After music they worked on their Arctic polar charts and then we preformed our Reader’s Theatre for the Kindergarten, first, and third grades. They did such a wonderful job. Yay Second grade!!
1-24-2012
In 8th grade we worked on our “I am from” poems. We told them that they needed to have their rough draft done on Thursday so that we can go down to the computer lab to type them up.
In second grade Mrs. V explained our morning work and then I got the reading groups done. We got all the unit exercises that I had planed done. Yay! For math I taught 5-3 and Xtra-Math. We did not finish 5-3 so tomorrow we will have to go over it and finish it up. Then we did our polar packet charts and then had P.E..
1-25-2012
8th graders did vocab and writing into the day. Then Mrs. V read to them out of their book. In second grade we did our morning work and I taught reading to both groups. My group with Hadley, Douglas, and Samuel is falling behind a little bit and I am starting to worry about them. For math we finished up 5-3 and then did computer money games that Mrs. V and I had found earlier. After that we worked on our Polar Packets. Then the students went to Music. While they were there we talked about 8th grade English and talked about what we were going to do the next week.
1-26-2012
In 8th grade we went down to the computer lab and had the students type out the “I am from” poems. Some of the students did not have them done so they had to work on them. This is frustrating when the students do not have their stuff done when it is due because it messes up our lesson plans and throws the day off. After the students were done typing their poems then we went back to class and we did a spelling bee. We had a little morning work because of library. After library I did my reading class. For math we did 5-4 and the graphing cash worksheet. Then we worked on our polar pop-up and research. After school Mrs. V and I got together and worked on our lesson plans for the next week and got our morning work copied and in the right folders.
1-27-2012
Happy 100th day of school. In 8th grade we split them up into 4 groups and gave thema big piece of paper. They had to write 100 things they are thankful for on it, and then graphite their names on the top of it. They had a whole lot of fun doing it and wanted to not go to second period so they could stay and work on it.
In second grade we had a Pooh day. Winnie the Pooh that is. We got with first grade and had Pooh centers. Before lunch we watched a Pooh movie. Then they had P.E., guidance, and then we dismissed for the day. It was a fun day to celebrate school.
Tonight from 3-6pm we have my orientation at the University.
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Week #5 1-30-2012
In 8th grade we finished our 100 things that we are thankful for and graphite. In second grade we did our pre-test for spelling and morning work. Then we did our reading groups. We got everything done!! For math we played computer games and then do a worksheet. From 12:30 to 1:20 the students got to go over and play with the National Guard obstacle coarse. It was fun to watch them play with that. We did not stay there the whole time, we came back over and Mrs. V had me copy a bunch of units and papers that I can file and use in my future classroom. It is a good feeling to have some things ready for when I am ready to be a teacher. After that we finished up our polar stuff and got that all done so we can start magnets tomorrow.
1-31-2012
Today is the day that Sue Peterson is going to come in and observe me teach my math lesson. In 8th grade we are still talking about diversity, so we started watching the movie “Freedom Writers” today. We had to sent home a permission slip making sure that the students can watch the PG-13 movie. Everyone had theirs signed except four students so they called their parents and they gave verbal permission over the phone. I think this movie will open their eyes to a lot of things.
In second grade we did morning work and I did our reading groups. I am still worried about Hadley’s group. I think that she might be holding back Douglas and Samuel. I talked to Mrs. V about it and she is going to see if she can get her extra help. I feel like she is not moving forward where the other are moving forward. After lunch Sue came in. We went over some things that we needed to. We found the other times that she was coming to observe me and when we were going to do our midterm conference. I felt that my lesson went really good. It is funny how I feel more confident as a teacher right now, and it has only been 2 weeks since my video tape. Sue and I had a conference and she thought I did good too. She was going to write down her notes and then return them to me. We had a hot chocolate party today for those students who have gotten their morning work done this whole month ( they had 2 free bee days). It is nice to reward the students when they work hard.
After school today we are getting ready for February. We are putting up the new calendar and taking down the old January artwork.
2-1-2012
Welcome to February! I can not believe that the second month of student teaching is here and that I have already been here for a whole month. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here. I love the students and I have really lucked out on my cooperating teacher. She is so wonderful!!
The 8th graders continued to watch Freedom Writers today. They were in a trance the whole time and ate it all up.
The second graders were a little wound up today. Douglas had to turn a card for not following a long during reading class and talking back. He never does that. Must be the weather or something. The reading groups went good. Caleb and his group had to take a written and oral assessment today and he did not do well. He should not have passed. But I told him that if tonight he goes home and reads with his family a lot them we will redo the test. It seems that his reading has gone downhill a little bit lately.
We had our Math Money test today. Four of my students got 100%!! I was so excited. I made them award cards and sent them home with their parents to let them know how proud I am.
During our prep we worked on lesson plans and got the papers in the folder for next week. We also read some things for 8th grade English and we need to make up a key. Its funny how I need to refresh on a lot of the materials. After school Mrs. V had a meeting about school insurance so I stayed and got things together for my first lesson on subtraction with borrowing. I think this will be a tough concept. But tomorrow I will use manipulative's and I think that will help.
2-2-2012
Today seemed a little funky. The kids were wound up again today. There were a whole lot of cards being flipped because they were not paying attention.
In 8th grade we finished watching the Freedom Writers movie. I enjoyed it and think that it was beneficial for the students to watch it. We discussed it a little after it was over and, as usual, not much was said by the 8th graders. After that we read our “I am from” poems and I enjoyed hearing from them. The poems were fun to hear. However, only 2 of the students looked up at all, and that was only for about a half a second at a time. They seemed a little nervous.
In 2nd grade we were working on our morning work and reading. When the students went to library Justin and Dylan got into trouble for misbehaving. When they got back we finished reading group. Then we had recess duty today. I enjoy seeing the other students in our school. The 5th and 6th grade girls had me play jump rope with them. After lunch I taught my first subtraction unit with borrowing. The students were talking and not paying attention. Tyler and Justin had to switch cards for playing with their math manipulatives while I was teaching. I was a little frustrated because this is a tough concept and many things build off of this and so it was important for them to listen. After math we did some ground hog’s day stuff. During last recess I stayed in with some students to finish things and Tyler started crying saying that he misses his mom. He said that he has not seen her in a really long time. My heart broke for him. How can I teach a child who is so sad and thinking about other things. I feel bad for him and his situation whatever it might be. After school I finished my Reading and Math lessons for the next week. I also looked up Weekly Reader online to see if our class can do it that way, but I think until I get more practice I will stick with the paper version for now.
2-3-2012
Today was a fun day. In 8th grade we played the line game that we saw on the movie and the kids thought that was fun. Then Mrs. V read out of their class book.
In second grade we had show n tell and Jessi brought Tristan in for my show n tell. It was fun to show him off and the kids loved him. The 7th graders came in and read to us a fairy tail. After lunch we worked on February calendar and then we went over to the pep assembly for the high school wrestling tournaments. I had to leg wrestle Mr. Parke... and of course, he won. He actually won the whole tournament of leg wrestling. Our second graders had a cheer for each of the wrestler boys and they did a great job. Of course all the high school kids loved their cheers. This weekend I am working on my Math subtraction lessons for next week and looking for other unit ideas. I also am going to keep reading my Hattie Big Sky that I am going to have the 8th graders read.
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Week #6 2-6-2012
In 8th grade the students worked on a Freedom Writers packet and I corrected some of their writing papers. I find it difficult to correct writing papers. There are so many elements in writing that I do not know what I should take off for all the time. Cari and I split up the papers and we both correct them all and if we see anything that we think should be changed then we talk it over and decide on something. She told me that if you go through the papers and decide what you think is an “A” paper and a “B” paper and so on it is helpful to put a number grade on.
In second grade today was my first day with ½ day teaching by myself. After 8th grade I finished up our writing and then handed out morning work and discussed it. Then I had reading groups. We also had to do the spelling pre-test. I seem to have a hard time fitting everything in on Mondays. I think that next week I am going to start trying to have the class stand in line and write the words on the board and maybe that will go by faster. After recess I had my other reading group and today Hadley read really well. I was proud of her. It seems if I let the other two students read before her and she has time to listen and follow along then she can recognize the words better. After lunch we had math and I reviewed how to subtract using borrowing. We still are using the manipulatives. They are such a good tool that I think that I will allow then to use them if they are having a hard time whenever. Mrs. V told me a good suggestion that I am going to use tomorrow. If the Bottom is Bigger, Borrow. It will be a fun way for students to know what to look for when they are deciding when to borrow. Today the kids said, “This math is fun”. I enjoy when they are having fun learning. I hope that I can keep it up. After math they went to music. While they were there I made a sample for a Valentine's art project. I had fun doing it. When they got back Cari let them free explore with magnets. They learn a whole lot by just playing and manipulating them. Then they watched a United Streaming. After recess we had a study hall for those students who are not done with their polar unit. The students that are done got to do extra math!
We were supposed to have an IEP meeting today for Dylan after school, but he was at the Dr. office so we rescheduled it for next Monday.
2-7-2012
In 8th grade today we took the students down to the computer lab and they watched a short video biography of Anne Frank. Then they had to read another biography and answer questions about it. Their answers today were not impressive. They are not giving much effort in their work.
In 2nd grade I taught a ½ day. So I did morning work again, reading, and math. During math I had to become the mean teacher. I think the students are still trying to see just how far they can push me when Mrs. V is not in the room, so I needed to be a little more stern to them today. I feel bad when I am like that, and I do not like being that way, but also the students can not act that way. They can not learn if they are disrupting class all the time. After last recess we practiced our Reader’s Theatre that we are going to preform next Monday. Tomorrow after school we are going to get our lesson plans together because Thursday we are having a ski day, and I am the teacher that will be up in the lodge all day in case the students need something. I guess I will need to bring a good book.
2-8-2012
Today in 8th English they did writing into the day and their spelling books. Mrs. V read a little to them from their book.
In second grade the kids were a little wild because they were excited to go skiing tomorrow. We did our morning work and our reading groups. Everything this morning went pretty smooth. In the afternoon I taught them some more subtraction but today was a transition day so they started doing subtraction in a column without manipulatives. The students were frustrated and I became a little frustrated when I found out that some of my students were not listening to my instruction. This is a tough concept and I know that I need to be more patient, so I did not have them turn in their homework today, we are going to work on it again Monday so that the students will not feel rushed and hopefully feel more confident with it.
After math they went to music, then we made our valentine bags that will hold our valentines. They are little heart kitty cats glued on to a brown bag.
After last recess we practiced our Reader’s Theatre. The students are doing better already with their lines.
After school Cari and I did our lesson plans for the next week. I can not believe how the time is flying. It is so much fun.
2-9-2012
Ski Day
2-10-2012
Today was a fast day. In 8th grade we did a spelling bee. In second grade we did a spelling test, show and tell, and a weekly reader. Then we worked on finishing our magnets man stations. After lunch the kids had P.E. and guidance so we didn't have them all afternoon. Cari and I worked on lessons and I copied a few papers for my future classroom. All in all it was a good, fast day.
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Week #7 2-13-2012
In 8th grade English we took the students to the computer lab and they had to look up articles about Miep Gies and a police officer from LAPD about the King beatings. They are reading those articles and then answering short questions about them. It is interesting how 8th graders do not write complete sentences or even punctuate their correctly. I wonder if it is laziness or if they do not know correct grammar. They are an interesting crew.
In second grade I introduced a good behavior marble jar. I thought that it would be a good idea to “catch them doing something good” instead of just bad things. I told them if we fill up the whole jar before I am done student teaching them we will have a pizza and ice cream party. They were excited about this and they kept trying to do or say nice things in front of me to get a marble, but I told them that I have to catch them doing it. They can not just do it to get a marble. In reading we did a spelling pretest like we always do, but today I made the students stand in a line to write the words instead of sitting in their seats and standing up to take their turns. It went a whole lot faster and we were able to get more things done in reading because of it. So that is a change that I will do from now on. After that we had lunch. After lunch we finished our math from Thursday for 15 minutes and then they went to Music. While they were there I made copies and prepared for an 8th grade English lesson that I am teaching on Thursday about Miep Gies.
After that they came back and we did a candy count Valentines project. After last recess we performed our Readers Theatre and since Hyrum went home sick I filled in for him. I am proud of how well they did because we did not get to practice much.
After school Mrs. V and I have an IEP meeting for Dylan and we discussed his learning needs.
2-14-2012
Happy Valentines Day! The first period of the day I covered for Ms. Popken’s 3rd grade class. He had to drop her dog off at the vet so I took her class for the first hour or so. It was fun to see how that class did things and how they differed from our 2nd grade. We did reading together and the class read out loud. Ms. Popkens had popsicle sticks with the students names on them so that it would be random who was reading. They are a fun crew and I enjoyed working with them for a little while.
Back in the 2nd grade the kids were really excited for our party. They were hyped up and ready to rumble. We did our morning work and reading. During reading my group who had Samuel, Hyrum, and Hadley had their written and oral tests. I have been really worried about Hadley, but she did great reading, and lately has really been improving. It makes me happy to see her succeed.
After recess we had our Valentine’s party. The kids opened their Valentine’s and ate their treats. After they had a full fledged sugar high we watched Charlie Browns Valentine movie. Luckily after that the kids had P.E. so they got to run around and run off some of their sugar high. It was a fun day to party with the kids. They all got me Valentines and I really enjoyed what the kids had to say to me. Samuel made Mrs. V and I a trophy from wood for the World's Best Teachers. Man I love these kids!
2-15-2012
In 8th grade today we had them write in their journals. Brad printed out a picture of Tim Tebow for them to journal about. It was interesting to hear what they had to say about it. After that they had to type out the poems that Mrs. Verlanic had assigned the day before. When they finished typing, they could work on their vocab. For the last 5 minutes Mrs. V read their story to them. Tomorrow I am teaching them a lesson on Miep Gies. I hope that it goes well.
In second grade we did our morning work and the group with Hadley, Samuel, and Douglas started a new unit, but we did not get through everything that I wanted to. The next group I started a new thing with. I call on a student to play “teacher” and they get to call on another student to read. The “teacher” has to follow along and help correct the student reading if they miss a word or say it incorrectly. The reason that I decided to do that was because the kids were having a hard time following along. The other students follow along because if the “teacher” misses a correction then they do not get to be the “teacher” anymore. It seemed to work good today, but we will see how it goes.
After lunch we did math. We reviewed our subtraction rules and I wrote the steps on the board. All the students did really well on it. We start two double digit subtraction tomorrow. I hope they do good with that too. Justin is really struggling with math. He is not a strong reader, and he can not even read the directions to do the math. We have a meeting for him next Wednesday and hopefully we can come up with a plan for him to be successful.
After math we read a book about Pres. Lincoln. We started a project on him because presidents day is soon. They had music and during music Mrs. V and I researched some lesson ideas and talked about lesson plans.
After school we wrote our lesson plans out for the next week as far as we could. We also had to correct papers for students that had missed a day, and for the 8th graders.
2-16-2012
Today I taught the 8th graders about Miep Gies and I think that it went well. We read the whole article together as a class and then discussed our feelings about what we read. There was not much discussion because they are a quiet bunch. After that I gave them the rest of the time to work on their discussion questions.
In second grade we went straight to library. When they got back they went out for first recess. After they got back we had reading and morning work. In Caleb, Cooper, Hyrum, Ben, and Tyler’s group we had our oral and written test. They all did great and I am really proud of them. The other group did some reading today and they did good as well.
After lunch we did math and today was the first day we did 2 double digit subtraction. I thought that it was going to be a really difficult lesson to teach but the students picked it up really fast. Hadley forgot to subtract the tens column and so she missed a lot, but after I showed her what she did wrong, she understood and did it correctly.
After math they went to keyboarding. While they were in keyboarding Mrs. V and I did some prep work for our Pres. Washington lesson tomorrow. We made a flip book, and I spent time making an example of it. It is fun to be creative and to find new ideas. The kids had a good day in all and tomorrow is Friday and Cooper’s birthday.
After school Mrs. V and I did some more prep work and filled in some more lesson plans.
2-17-2012
Today is Coopers Birthday!
In 8th grade we studied some CRT tests and tried to work on how to correctly answer the questions. We want them to be prepared for what will be on there.
In second grade we did our spelling test, show n’ tell, and a weekly reader. After that was recess. After recess we finished up our President Lincoln stuff before lunch.
After lunch we had math. I had the students do problems on the board to practice before they did their seat work. Most of them did great, but there were some students who forgot to subtract the tens column after they subtracted the ones column. So I wrote on the board our 5 rules:
1. Circle the larger number in the ones column.
2. Use our saying to see if we need to borrow. (Bottom bigger borrow)
3. Borrow if needed.
4. Subtract the ones column.
5. Subtract the tens column.
This seemed to help the students focus if they got lost or was not sure what to do next. Today some of the kids were really hyper and excited for Cooper’s birthday party. After math we got ready to go home. The kids went to guidance with Mr. O for the last hour.
After school we finished our lesson plans and organized our papers for the following week and put them into their correct folders.
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Week #8 2-20-2012
Today was not a good day. In 8th grade we finished a few spelling bee’s so that we could have the spelling names in today. Sami won first, Audrie won second, and Olivia is the alternate. After that Mrs. V talked to them about CRT stuff and then we read from our class book.
Second grade was very rowdy today. They were out of control a little bit. Our reading groups were not too bad. We had our spelling pre-test and it is interesting that the lower reading group are worse spellers than the better reading group, but also it makes sense. After reading we had lunch and then after lunch we had math. We did a worksheet and xtra math. They were starting to get really wild then. After math they had music. When they came back from music I was getting ready to teach my Presidents Pets lesson. Sue Peterson was here to observe me during that lesson. It was a fun lesson and the kids were wild. I had to kick Dylan out of class after about 5 minutes of being in class. He was all over the place jumping up and down and rolling on the floor and blurting out answers and yelling at kids. I took him out and Mrs. V took him to Mr. Parke. The kids were all talking out of turn and telling stories and laughing and being very disrespectful. I wanted my lesson to go really well because I had my supervisor there watching me. I was very frustrated and felt like the lesson was awful. Every single one of the students were bad, except for maybe Hadley who is always well behaved. After I had my meeting with Sue she said that she thought that I did a good job and that I stayed poised while the kids were being disruptive. She thought that I should have maybe made the kids switch more cards and nip their behavior in the bud as fast as I could. So after they came in from recess, I had a talk with them and told them that I will NOT tolerate that behavior anymore and that if they are disrespectful to me again then they will immediately call their parents at home and explain to them how they are acting. I told them that they need to shape up and act like second graders. Then I told them that the whole class needs to stay in from recess for 5 minutes the next day in complete silence to remind them how they should act when someone is teaching a lesson. After I got done talking to them Mrs.V scolded them also. They all hung their heads and Mrs. V made them all switch a card for acting that way. I do not think we will have any behavior problems for a while. After school Mrs. V and I decided that we both need to start making kids switch cards even for a little infraction so that they get used to how we expect them to act always. I hate being the mean teacher and nagging at them all the time, but I cannot teach them if they are not listening and we cannot have them be disrespectful either.
After that Sue came back and we had my midterm meeting. They went over the paperwork and Sue wanted to go home and write more things down and then return it to me. I have to write my midterm response as soon as I get it back. I love Sue and Mrs. V. Today was a bad day and I felt like a bad teacher, but they reassured me and told me that they were happy to see me handle a bad class because that is real life. I have been by myself with these kids many many times and they had never before acted that way, so I was frustrated and confused why they would choose today to be naughty when we had a supervisor there to watch me. But I guess that is teaching.
2-21-2012
Today I was a little nervous to come to school because I knew that I was going to have to crack down and I don’t want to be a nagging teacher, but I guess I am here to educate the students and not to be friends with them.
In 8th grade we watched a movie about Anne Frank and then discussed a little about it. After that Mrs. V read a little bit out of our class book.
In second grade the kids were a little less wound up today. Thank heavens. Our morning work went smoothly and so did our reading classes. I am still letting the bigger group play teacher when they are reading and that way they are all paying attention better. The only thing that I am going to change tomorrow is instead of just blurting out when someone makes a mistake I am just going to have them raise their hand. Some of the kids are arguing with me when they think that a child makes a mistake but I do not think that they did, so I am going to have to tell them tomorrow that they have to raise their hands if they think their was a mistake and I will call on them, but if they blurt it out then they have to flip a card. I will also have to tell them that I am the teacher and my word is final so if they argue with me they also have to switch a card.
In the other class Hadley is struggling with reading again. She just looks at words and looks at the beginning and then guesses a word that starts with the same letters. So I have to tell her to slow down and read the word that is there, but is seems that it is a bad habit and that she is having a really hard time getting out of that.
After lunch we had math and it was a struggle today because we moved from having the questions already written for you to you having to write out your own equation and solve it. It took many of them a long time to do it, but most of them got a good hold on it. I will have to give them some more time to finish tomorrow. Justin had just as much time as anyone else in the class and he did not even finish the first question. He is way to distracted to do anything in my classroom. He is not functioning and he keeps being disruptive because he can not focus and he had to flip 3 cards today and so he has 20 minutes on the fence again tomorrow. Also we have his meeting with his parents tomorrow for his IEP and I have been keeping documentation on his math work so hopefully we can get him the help that he needs to succeed.
After math we did more on our presidents pets and the kids were much better behaved. They just colored today and did a good job.
After last recess we went over to the FFA presentation where they talked about cows and then we decorated a cookie. Of course the kids loved that.
After school we prepared some more lessons and talked about some units that we were going to do the following week.
2-22-2012
Today in 8th grade we did our writing into the day. Their topic was, “how would you feel if you were labeled Non-German during WWII? Would you wear your star of David proudly”? I was really impressed by the answers that the students came up with. I think that the kids are starting to see just how terrible it was and how big of an injustice it actually was. They mostly all said that they would wear their star proudly because it should be something that makes them different and being different is good. I think that the 8th graders are actually getting this.
In second grade we did our morning work and reading group. Our reading groups did pretty good. The larger reading group does really well playing “teacher”. They all pay attention better and get more things done.
In math we had our subtraction test. Most of the kids did well, but Douglas and Justin did not do good. Douglas had done good on all the other subtraction assignments, so he must have just jumped the gun and hurried through it.
After math we finished our Presidents Pets assignment. They made the time line and finished putting it all together. When they were finished I hung them up in the hall way for everyone to see. I think they enjoyed that project.
After that they went to music and then had recess. After recess they came in and were able to have a little study hall where they could work on their work that was not completed. Then I read for the last 10 minutes of class from their class book.
After school Mrs. V and I looked at some more lesson ideas and did some preparing.
2-23-2012
Today is our Friday. We don’t have school this Friday because we have it off for President’s Day and for tournaments for basketball. So today we acted like it was Friday.
In 8th grade English we did CRT practices all hour. They seem to be getting better at them and only a few of the students missed more than one. So I am hopeful that it will be good scores as long as they put their whole effort into it.
In second grade they had library right away for an hour. When they returned we had our spelling test, then we did show n tell and then a weekly reader. For show n tell I brought two educational games that I had been given as a gift. One is a car game, and the other one is an applette game. The games are really fun and I told the kids if they ever have free time that they can play those games whenever they want to. They were really excited about that. After weekly reader we had the kids get on and do Xtra-math. Then it was lunch time.
After lunch I taught a fun lesson about George Washington. Mrs. V and I made a fun lap book for the kids to do. It was a really fun lesson and I was excited to do it, but Dylan was all over the place and when I was giving my directions he was shouting “NO NO NO”. So I had him flip a card. He would not get out of his seat to flip the card so I had to walk over and walk him to flip it. After he returned to his seat he put his head down and did not do anything. When my directions were over and the kids were coloring their pages he still would not work. Mrs. V came in and saw him and asked him to participate and he would not say anything or would not work, so Mrs. V tried to take him out of the class because he was distracting the other students. When he stood up he would grab onto everything and would not go out of the room, so it took Mrs. V a while to get him out. I just wished that he would have done the project with his other classmates because it was a bunch of fun and I know that he would have loved to do it. Mrs. V finally had to call his mom to come get him after giving her more trouble. After the lap book it was time to go home so we did the classroom chores and then got ready to go home. Mrs. V and I are going to leave shortly and I am going to bring home lesson plans and do some preparation for the lessons coming up.
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2-27-2012
Week #9
Today was a Monday for sure. In 8th grade we worked on a CRT for just a little while, then we started reading Anne Frank’s Diary. We read the first Chapter and then discussed it for a little bit.
In second grade we did our morning work and our reading groups. Hyrum and Hadley were gone today. Douglas told us that Hyrum was going to go to Hall school. Come to find out he did transfer schools and is not attending here anymore. His dad and Him came in to clean out his desk, his dad told Mrs. V that is was not because of her that he is not going to school anymore. However, why else would he transfer, and I guess that his parents have complained a bunch that Hyrum is getting bad grades and Mrs. V iis not sending his work home to do. In second grade Mrs. V does not send any work home to do there because she gives them plenty of time to do it in class and no other students get to take home their work. I guess I do not get the reason that he switched schools I just do not understand why his parents would not come in talk to Mrs. V about anything that is bothering them. Communication is very important and they do not have both sides of any story that Hyrum might have told them.
Anyways in math I introduced Geometry to the kids, I only had 20 minutes, so we just went over 2D shapes and 3D shapes. Then they had music. When they came back from music Mrs. V and I co-taught a lava lamp science experiment. They each got to make their own and take it home. They learned the word density and learned that oil is more dense than water. It was a really fun experiment. After school Mrs. V and I looked at some of our space stuff that we are going to start soon.
2-28-2012
In 8th grade we read Chapter 2 of Anne Frank and then we talked about it. Some of the kids are really interested in this book and read ahead on their own. We discussed it a little bit and then the kids got their worksheet about the first 2 chapters. It is due on Friday.
In second grade we did our morning work and our reading groups. I let the kids play with the games that I brought after they were all done with their morning work. They really liked that and we're excited to get done.
After lunch I had math. We started using geoboards today. They have 9 shapes that they have to make and some papers that they have to answer about each shape. Once they are done we will put it all together in a geometry book.
After math we had about 20 minutes to have a short study hall and finish up our Washington lapbooks and to work on our science experiment papers. Dylan was not working and was jumping off his seat and throwing his papers in the air. I gave him a warning and said that if I look up again and he is not working then he had to do his work out of this room. He grabbed his papers and threw them inside his desk and sat at his desk with his arms folded glared at me. Since he would not work and was not following classroom rules I took him over to Mr. Parke. I let him stay over there until the class went over for P.E., then I went over to talk to him. On my way I stopped in Mrs. Shindlers room and found Austin Martel. Dylan loves Austin and really looks up to him, so I had Austin come over there with me to talk to Dylan and tell him that it is important to behave in class and to listen to your teachers. After Austin was done talking with Dylan I took Dylan over to the Altacare and brought his homework so that he could get something done.
When the kids got back from P.E. it was time to go to recess. I let Dylan go out for recess, then had him come back to my room to finish the day off. I told him that this was his second chance so he needed to be really good. However I have to leave at 3 o’clock to get to my Student Teaching Seminar. I am hoping he will be good for Mrs. V for the last few minutes.
2-29-2012
Today I am not feeling the best.
In 8th grade we did writing into the day and our vocab books. For our writing we had them write about if they were the teacher what would they do. It was funny to hear what they would want to do. Of course they all wanted to go on a bunch of field trips and only play games with no homework. It was funny. They are a really good class and I enjoy being with them.
In second grade we did our morning work and our reading groups. Reading went good except Hadley has been gone again. This is her third day straight. I am worried about her. I think I am going to call me home tonight and see how she is. ShyAnn is the only girl in the class when Hads is gone and I am missing her.
After lunch we worked on our geometry books again with the geoboards. The kids really like this project and I think that they are learning the shapes at the same time.
After math we started our space unit. I read a space book and then we wrote facts out on a piece of paper. After that they got to start coloring their fact sheets. After space Brett and I left to go to the Doctors.
3-1-2012
Surgery Day
3-2-2012
Recovery Day
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Week #10 3-5-2012
In 8th grade we went down to the computer lab to let the kids watch and manipulate the Secret Annex online. It is a virtual tour that you can take of the place and there is different stories that you can hear. It is a nice thing for the 8th graders to do because they love to use technology. After they finished they worked on a comprehension worksheet for the readings that they have done the last few days in class.
In second grade we did our morning work and reading groups. When I was explaining the directions for morning work I had ShyAnn come up to explain the Monday doors that we always do. I think that it is a good idea to have students come up and explain directions sometimes because it shows that they know what they are doing and it gives them the chance to get up in front of their peers and talk, which is an important skill to have.
After lunch we had Math for just 15 min. We worked on finishing up our Geometry books.
After math they went to music for about an hour. When they got back we did a St. Pats day art project. It was really fun and we did finger painting with it. Dylan started getting out of control at that point and when I asked him to wash his hands he flung water all over the place and got his classmates wet as well as their art projects. After they finished their art we started working on our space banners. I gave directions a few different times to different kids when they finished and they all got to work. I gave Dylan directions with 3 other students. He was messing with his papers and fidgeting. He was not listening and when I asked him to listen he told me that he did not have to listen to me. I told him to go switch a card for talking back to me. Then on his way to switch a card, he did not walk over there and then he said that he switched the card when he had not. So I asked him to switch it and he said that he was not going to because he does not have to listen to me. So I had him switch another card while he was there. He messed around and did not do it for a while. After he switched both cards then he went to the bathroom. He locked himself in there and would not come out for 10-15 minutes so I had Mr. Lavoni go in and get him out. Mr. Lavoni even had a hard time getting him out. When he finally came out of the bathroom I took him to the sun room to talk to him. I asked him what we need to do in order for him to behave. He would not say anything, so I gave him the choice of coming back to my classroom and doing what he was supposed to or going to Alta-Care. He chose to come back to class. I told him that that was his warning and that if he misbehaved he would go straight to Alta-Care. I also told him that if I see his starting to get out of control then I would walk to his desk and just simply put my hand on his desk to remind him to behave. He said that would work so we went back to class. In the mean time Mrs. V had to come in and take over my class. When he came back into class he acted better for a short while. Then Mrs. Shindler came in and told me that Dylan had to go see her during recess because he did not do any work. That sent him over the edge and he said that he was not going to go see her and that he was going out to recess and that he could do whatever he wanted. He stood up and was throwing his papers and yelling. So I took him out of the class and tried to take him to the Alta-Care people but they were in the high school so I talked to Mr. Lavoni and he called his mom and told them that they need to come and get him and that because of his behavior and the problems from the day that he was suspended for the next day too. I had to sit with Dylan until the Alta-Care people came down to get him and be with him until his parents got here. He was very upset when he found out his parents had to come get him and that he was suspended.
I am at a total loss of what to do to help him. Through all my education I learned that I can help all kids and that there is no one that I can not teach, but I do not know what to do with him. There is talk that he may have a mental illness and that the help that we offer here is not enough to help him.
Back in my second grade we finished out the day and had a good time. When the kids were getting ready to go home Dylan’s mom came in and so I went and had a meeting with her and Dylan and the Alta-Care lady. I told her what happened and asked her what I should do to help him. She said that she did not know and that this was his 3rd school that he has been in with these problems. I just love Dylan and wish I knew what to do to help him....
After school Mrs. Hauptman and I visited and talked about lesson plan activities. It was fun to visit with her and get ideas.
3-6-2012
Today in 8th grade we read more from Anne Frank and then discussed with them some of what we read. I graded some papers while Mrs. V headed the class.
In second grade we got a new student. A girl named Emberli. She is a sweetheart and is as sharp as a whistle. It was funny because I was not here for the beginning of the school year I did not know everything that I needed to tell her. I did not do a good job at explaining the rules/consequences. I had a hard time remembering what procedures we do... I guess that is something that I need to work on.
However, it is nice to have another girl to our classroom full of boys. Reading and morning work went good.
After lunch we had math and we talked about 3D shapes and had a worksheet on identifying 3D shapes and then they got to cut out a pattern and make their own 3D shapes. I think that was something that was fun for them.
After math we worked on our space banners and most of the kids got done with that. Some of them did Xtra math after they finished and then they went to P.E.
After P.E. and recess we did readers theatre and then they did chores and got ready to go home. Then they all came in and we read from our class book.
I sent a note home with Hadley, Ben, and Emberli about what a good day they had and how I enjoy them in my class.
After school Mrs. V and I talked about the weeks coming up because I am full days starting next week with everything. We did some prep and also looked at lessons.
It is amazing what a difference our class is without Dylan. I do not have to worry about misbehavior and we move through things really fast and we can let loose a little bit without getting out of control. I am still worried about him and do not know what to do.
3-7-2012
In 8th grade we did writing into the day and our vocab books. For writing we asked them to write about, How to catch a Leprechaun. They did a great job with that and had some really creative thoughts. I also did some research and looked up stuff for our next unit that I am doing which is Mythology. I am excited and nervous about doing 8th grade by myself. I want to make it really engaging the whole time and find a way to make the boys always turn in their work. Although I do not see how I can make them have more effort.
In second grade we did morning work and reading class. Tomorrow Sue Peterson is coming into observe me teach reading and I am a little nervous because last time she came in the kids were terrible!! So I told them today that she was coming and that they need to be on their best behaviour. Reading groups is usually really easy and really well behaved, so I am not expecting any issues tomorrow.
After lunch we had Math and we talked about congruency. The definition that I gave them was the same size and same shape. I gave them a matching worksheet where they had to match the congruent pairs together and then write them on the lines. Everyone did really good and I think that they understand congruence. After the worksheet I had them use pattern blocks to make a shape or design. Then they had to trace that shape onto a piece of paper. After they trace it they have to recreate the shape on another part of their paper using different pattern blocks and then trace that shape. After the two shapes were traced they had to make sure that they were congruent. Then I had them write the definition of congruency on the paper then we hung them up.
After math we started working on our flip books for space. We have them make these books and put facts about each planet inside those flips. The kids had a good time with it and for the most part Dylan was very good. However he was 10 minutes late for class. I was so busy watching the kids and helping that I didn’t even look at the clock and I was 5 minutes late for taking them to music. Yikes! I think I am going to start using that online stopwatch to make sure that I am keeping time well.
After music was recess. Then they came in and we worked on our space books a little more. Then practiced our Readers Theatre. After school there was a budget meeting and so I lesson planned a little and did some prep.
3-8-2012
In 8th grade today we read some excerpts from Anne Frank’s diary. Then we read from the fifth chapter from our study guide book and learned about the fate of those who were in the Secret Annex. It was difficult to read what happened to them and the evil that happened to Jews and other sects.
In second grade they went straight to Library for an hour. Mrs.V and I did lesson plans and got ready for the rest of our day and reviewed our lesson plans for the next week in the afternoons.
When they returned it was recess and I went out on duty. I played football with the kids for a little while. When we got back in it was reading time and Sue Peterson was here to observe me. The kids did really good even though it was a short reading period. We only had 20 minutes per group. The kids did good reading and were very well behaved. Sue has two more observations of me and I can not believe how time has flown by. She said that she thinks that I will be a great teacher and that makes me happy. After reading Sue and I had a meeting and talked about her observation and then it was lunch time.
After lunch we had math and we cruised through 2 of our lessons. I am hoping that I am not going too fast because some of the kids had a hard time with the concepts. I will have to do a review day tomorrow.
After math we worked on our space flip book today for about an hour then we watched a space movie for a half hour. The kids were very good during the movie and got to put a marble into the cup.
Then we went out for recess. I was on duty again. When we came in we practiced our Reader’s Theatre and worked on our space a little more. Then we did chores and got ready to go home. I read from our class book too.
Dylan was well behaved today and it was nice to have him in class working hard.
After school we finished our lesson plans for the next week and then did some more prep.
3-9-2012
In 8th grade we worked on CRT’s. While they were working on that I did some prep for my mythology unit that I am going to start next Friday. I went through all the stuff that Mrs. V and I had wrote it all down. That way we have ideas for the days.
In second grade we did a spelling test, show n’ tell, and a weekly reader. Right after the weekly reader I went into our space work. We have a lot to do so I thought that we would get some done before lunch. Dylan started out good, but slowly went downhill. I decided to keep track of everything that he was doing that way I had documentation. He asked what I was doing so I told him I was keeping track of what he was doing so that I could show it to his Mom and Dad when they ask what he did. He through a fit and pushed his papers off the desk and folded his arms with his head down. After recess he was much better. But right before lunch he slapped Samuel in the head so I had him take a marble out of the jar.
After lunch was Math. We did a review worksheet. Then they got started on lesson 11-3 where they used pattern blocks.
After math we had to get ready to go home so we did chores and got our backpacks and our coats. Dylan was not there and I guess that he was sent to Alta-Care. We started a file for Dylan that has all of his documentation in it and we sent the note home with him showing his parents what he did during the day.
Then they had to go to guidance with Mr. O. When they got back it was time to go home.
After school we finished our lesson plans and I did some prep for science and math.
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Week # 11 3-12-2012
In 8th grade today Mrs. V worked on Anne Frank a little bit more. While she was doing that I worked on my mythology unit that I am going to start next Monday. I am trying to get a lot done so that I can not have to stress.
In second grade Mrs. V was completely out of the room the whole day. We did morning work and reading group. The morning work went a little long and so most of the kids had to come in from recess and finish it for a little while. Douglas was going really slow and didn’t get much done at all. Hadley was gone in the morning and came in right before we went to lunch. I guess she had a Dr. apt that was cancelled.
After lunch we had math for only 20 minutes and they were to get the rest of lesson 11-3 done. However none of them got it done. So I will have to make them stay in lunch tomorrow to finish it.
After math they went to music. After music we worked on finishing some stuff on space and we talked about phases of the moon and then we made an accordion book with the different phases.
After space we had recess, then we performed our Readers Theatre. Then we finished everything up, cleaned up, and then got ready to go home.
After school we had an IEP meeting for Samuel. It went really well. Samuel is sharp.
3-13-2012
We did not have 8th grade today because they are CRT testing. So for the first 30 minutes Mrs. V and I had a prep period. We talked about the mythology unit and tried to put some of the days together the best we could.
After that we came back to the 2nd grade room and Mrs. V did calendar. Then I did think pad. Our thinkpad today was math. ShyAnn could not count past 20. She just kept guessing numbers. I am extremely nervous about this and do not know how a second grader can not count past 20. I will have to talk to Mrs. V about that. After that some kids took AR tests and then we started morning work and reading group. We had to do a lot of catching up on worksheets today.
After lunch we had math, the kids had to finish 11-3, and then we started 11-4. It was on how you can cut some shapes to make other shapes.
After math we did a creative writing lesson on “How to catch a Leprechaun”. They had to describe to me how to catch a leprechaun if I have never done it before.
After Creative Writing they went to P.E.. While they were at P.E. Mrs. V and I worked on the Mythology unit together.
After P.E. was recess. Apparently Dylan was cussing at recess and so when he came in we had a confrontation. I documented all of what happened in his file. It took about 20 minutes to handle everything. Good thing our aid Sarah was in 2nd grade so that she could watch the 2nd grade kids while I had to deal with Dylan.
I gave the 2nd graders a study hall to finish some work, and then they cleaned up, finished up and got ready to go home. Ben was all done with everything early and he cleaned up our classroom. I had him put in 3 marbles this afternoon for helping me so much. He is such a good kid, and I want to send home another note to his parents letting them know what a good job they have done. After school I had to finish up grading a few things and get organized for tomorrow. We also looked for a few more Mythology things.
3-14-2012
The 8th graders are testing again today so Cari and I continued to work on the Mythology unit. We mapped out all the days and I feel a whole lot more comfortable knowing what we are planning on doing. I will have to study this material because it has been a while since I have done it.
In second grade Cari did calendar and I was still doing prep for Mythology. After that we did our thinkpad, morning work, and reading. The morning went smoothly.
After lunch we had Math and we talked about congruency more, they had to do a worksheet on it and they all did very well. I think that is something that they have a good hold on. When they were finished we used the next 30 minutes as a study hall finishing our space stuff and working on our Leprechaun stories. Dylan did not come into class at this time because he was in Mr. Parke’s office.
Then they had music and we worked on grades and I make some copies for Mythology. When they get back it was recess.
After they came back we worked more on catching up for about 20 minutes. Dylan was there, but with only a little defiance and a bunch of asking he did his work. Then we cleaned up, finished up, and got ready to go home.
After school we did our regular jobs and went home early because our prep was done for the next day.
3-15-2012
Today was the last day that the 8th graders have testing, so Mrs. V and I had another 30 minute prep period this morning. We worked more on the Mythology Unit. When we came back, I did the calendar today. It was fun. Then we did our thinkpad which was just a number of the day. Again, ShyAnn really really struggled.
After that they went off to library and Mrs. V and I got to have another prep and we worked on Mythology. When they got back it was recess and I had duty. When we got back in we only had 20 minutes per group for reading, and they had only 20 minutes to do their morning work. Most everyone got their stuff done.
After lunch we had math and we talked about movement; translation, rotation, and reflection. I had them write the definition on a piece of paper with an example of what each one was. This was helpful for them in understanding because they got to do it hands on. Then for the last 10 minutes I let them work on their lessons.
When the other kids got in we started our Map unit. We talked about vocabulary, made a map folder, and had them make a map of the classroom. Then for homework I assigned then to make a map of their bedroom.
For the last few minutes we watched a United Streaming about Maps.
Then we had recess. I forgot that it was my duty and so I was a little late running out the door.
After recess it was a little chaotic. I had a bunch of students doing different things trying to stay caught up on work. But it was a good day.
Dylan today worked really well in class. He loved the map unit idea so he stayed focused.
After school I had a bunch of things to do. I worked on lesson plans, did some prep for lessons, took things off the wall and put map things up, did some paperwork, and finally went home.
3-16-2012
In 8th grade we talked about Anne Frank and gave them their 5 paragraph essay assignment that will close the Anne Frank unit. The rough draft will be due on Monday. During class I looked up Mythology things and did some prep.
In second grade we did our spelling test, our show n’ tell, and our weekly reader. After that it was first recess. When they came in from recess we talked about maps. We talked about our school and did the map of our school. Then we wrote the compass rose on there and I gave them directions on how to get to places from our second grade room. They had to trace those on the school map and then make a key. I think that the kids really enjoyed that. After that we took a field trip and I told them certain directions that they needed to walk and then we would see where we would end up.
After Maps was lunch. During lunch I took Emberli down to her house and took a picture of it for our Google Maps project that we are doing next week.
Then they went to P.E. and then to guidance.
While they were there Mrs. V and I did some prep and finished our lesson plans for the next week.
When they got back we got ready and sent them home. It was a fast day with two preps in the afternoon.
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Week #12 3-19-2012
Deanna was not here today so Mrs. V and I had to split up our classes. Since she was still finishing Anne Frank stuff I took Deanna’s place and did reading groups. Then I did calendar and then think pad. It was a math one again, and ShyAnn could NOT do it. She had no idea. I talked to Mrs. V and she said that they already know she has major problems with math and they are working on it. So that made me feel better that people are already working with her.
Then we did morning work, spelling pre-test, and reading groups.
After lunch we had math for only 15 minutes and they finished up the lesson from Thursday on Geometry movement. Then they went to music. While they were there we worked on google maps and tried to figure out where each student's house was and how to post a picture there.
When they got back we talked about maps and I told them about our google maps project. Then we got on google maps and I showed them how to navigate it, and we zoomed way in and looked at our town of Drummond. They had a good time looking at familiar places. We talked about our school and we all went on a field trip and went outside and took pictures of the elementary school, high school, gym, and playground because we thought that it would be important to have those things in our community map.
Then they went out for recess. When they came in we went to first grade to listen to their readers theatre. Then we can back and read our “How to catch a leprechaun” story to Mrs. V. They enjoyed sharing their imagination with her.
After we were through reading I read from our classroom book, then they got ready and went home.
After school I did Mythology prep, and I made sure I was ready for tomorrow.
3-20-2012
In 8th grade it was my first day to teach all by myself. It was my introduction to Mythology. We talked about vocab, what a myth was, and we watched a United Streaming video about three separate myths. I played a game with the vocab words where I had the definitions and the words were on a piece of paper and they had to match the definitions to the words. I thought that it would be a fun game, but I got absolutely no reaction out of them. They are a tough crew. Some of the kids knew a lot about mythology already, while some other people did not know anything. I told them that every day I would have a question from the day before and that would be worth one extra credit point for each question so they have the possibility of getting 10 extra credit points in this unit. We are reading a myth and working on labeling a map of greece tomorrow. Hopefully they will have better attitudes with that. I think that I am going to have them work in groups of 2 just to switch things up.
In 2nd grade we got going on morning work and did our reading groups right away. Our reading group and morning work went really smooth. In fact everyone got done with their morning work early and everyone got Xtra math in today! After lunch we had math and I did a lesson on symmetry. The kids knew this really well because we had discussed it before. Then we worked on Maps again today and we got all the kids on google maps and they were able to use it themselves and see how it works. Tomorrow all our pictures will be on there and they can start mapping it out and making the key.
After maps they went over to P.E. because of our troubles last week Dylan was not able to go to P.E. today and had to go to alta care while the rest of his class was there. He did good for the most part today and I have not had a problem with him for the last 3 days.
After P.E. was recess and Mrs. V and I worked on report cards and wrote comments for all the kids. After recess we came in from recess we worked on corrections from our final space stuff. When we were done we got ready to go home and finished up.
After school I did prep for Mythology and the rest of my lessons for tomorrow.
3-21-2012
In 8th grade English today I finished the vocab from the day before. They took them down in their notes and then we read from the first chapter in our book. There was 12 pages, so I made popsicle sticks for each students and drew those to see who got to read. It took awhile to read, and when we were done we only had about 10 minutes left, so I had them just work on their vocab books.
In second grade we did our morning work and then our reading groups. The reading groups went smooth and when they were done with everything they did xtra math and then a center activity.
After lunch we did a review of geometry since our chapter test is tomorrow. We reviewed motion of geometric objects, plane shapes, 3d shapes, edges, vertices, and faces. Then I gave them a review worksheet. After they were done with their worksheets I had them play with pattern blocks and make congruent shapes.
After Math class we worked on our google maps for about 30 minutes.
After that I look them over to music class. While they were gone I worked on prep for next week in reading and got everything set for that. When they got back it was recess time.
After recess we came in and worked on our google maps some more.
After they had been working for about 20 minutes I went over and ShyAnn had not done anything the whole time, so I had her go turn a card.
Then we cleaned up, did chores, and I read out of our classroom book before they went home.
After school I did not stay because I had to go to Missoula to my 3rd Seminar.
3-22-2012
In 8th grade today I split them into groups and had them work on a map of Greece. They had the things that they needed to label, and then they needed to color it. They worked hard and get that done very well. The final draft of the Anne Frank 5 paragraph essay was due today and only 5 students turned it in, so I told them that they had to come to my room on their lunch break and work on it until it was done, and if they didn’t show up then they would have detention. I think that it is important for them to get their work in and I want to force the subject as much as I can. We have 4 kids in that class who are failing, so I want to do what I can to help.
In second grade the kids went over to library. Dylan punched a bookcase so he had to come back and go to Alta-Care. When the kids returned we did morning work and a short reading period. When they were done they had to work on their Google maps.
After lunch I was outside the room welcoming the kids to class and Dylan was mad about something that had to do with his sweatshirt and so he sat down in the coatroom and would not come out. So I had to take him to Alta-Care again.
For math they had the Geometry Test. Most of them did very well and Caleb got a 100%, so I am going to buy him a candy bar.
After Math they went to Keyboarding.
While they were there Cari and I worked on putting a lapbook together.
When they got back we had about 50 minutes to work on our Google Maps. Some kids really rushed through it, and I had to have them go back through it and do it again.
Since it is Thursday I am the on duty recess teacher. I was around the wall going to talk to Dylan telling him to calm down when Hannah Bradshaw and Deana Parke came running up to me saying, “Kimber is pushing and yelling at Maria.” So I ran around the corner and saw Kimber push Maria. I then told Kimber, “Get on the fence right now. That is not okay.” After telling her that she started yelling right at me. She said that I “Always” yell at her and why don’t I ever yell at anyone else. She was crying and covering her ears when I was trying to talk to her. I told her that she cannot talk to me that way, and she yelled that she hated me. After that I told her that she needed to come inside with me because I will not accept that behavior. While we were walking in she was still yelling at me and telling me, “ I hate you and I hate her (Maria) she is a brat.” She continued to yell and say that I always yell at her and do not yell at anyone else. When we got to the doors I told her that it is NOT acceptable to talk to me that way, that I am a teacher and that I will not put up with that behavior. When we got inside I saw Ms. Popkins and told her that she needed to take Kimber over to Mr. Parke because she had pushed Maria and she was yelling at me. Since I was the playground teacher I went back out there as fast as I could and went over to talk to Maria. She was crying and I asked her what happened. She said Kimber just came up to her because she didn’t want to play with her and started yelling at her and pushing her. There were some other girls around her (Hannah Bradshaw, Deana Parke, Grace Weaver) and they all said the same thing.
After that we came inside and we worked on our Google maps if we were not done and if we were done we worked on our Montana map. Then we cleaned up and read from our classroom book.
After school I went and talked to Mr. Lavoni about what had happened and he had me write a report, and he said that he was going to call her parents.
Then I did some prep for tomorrow and next week along with our regular chores.
3-23-2012
Today in 8th grade English there was about 5 kids gone for a music thing, so I didn’t want to start a huge project. So I had the kids work on 12 posters of the 12 Olympians. They had a good time doing it and I brought candy for them to have.
In second grade we did our spelling test, show n’ tell, and weekly reader. Then they had recess. While they were at recess I put grades into the grade book. When they came back we worked on our map of Montana. They finished the maps. I had them map the Yellowstone River, Missouri River, Missoula, Billings, Drummond, Helena, and the Rocky Mountains. They had to place them in the right place and make a key and a compass rose. Then it was time to clean up for lunch. While the kids were at lunch recess I helped Hadley catch up on work.
When they came in we did an Easter Math Book page, and then when they were done we worked on our maps some more and then we read a map book and then I sent them to Guidance. While they were at guidance I finished our lesson plans for the next week. After school we finished up our chores and then we decorated for Easter.
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Week #13 3-26-2012
In 8th grade today we started the family tree assignment for the 12 Olympians. They have to put them on a chart, and then put the chart onto a larger paper and put a picture with a short description by it. Most of the kids were able to get a lot done because they had their notes that we took, but Braxten and Garret were partners and didn’t have anything from their notes. So it took them a while. Willie and Garret are the only ones who do not have their 5 paragraph essays in, so I told them if they were not in by tomorrow then they had an hour detention. Willie and Sami have to do the Map of Greece because they were not here when we did it, so I asked them to come over at their lunch to work on it. Sami had a lunch meeting and couldn’t come, so Willie came over to work on it. I am really concerned about how often students do not get their work turned it. They just do not care. They don’t care if they get all “F’s” on everything. How can I make them care? I am trying to by giving them deadlines to get everything in, but they just ignore it. Hummmm... Something to think about.
In second grade we did our morning work and our reading groups. They did pretty good with that, although some of the kids had corrections on adding “ing” or “ed”. They don’t know when to double the last consonant. So we had to take time to talk about it. Some kids had to stay in from lunch recess today, and they had to do some left over work. Hadley had to do a reading test that she missed from being gone. Her reading test was very very low. It was alarming. She only read about 65 words per minute, and she had at least 4 mistakes. So I sent it home saying that she needs to practice because she failed and should have to take that reading unit again, however, we do not have another reading group for her to be in. I hope that her mom comes in for parent teacher conferences so that I can discuss the concern.
After lunch recess, the kids came in and we worked on math for only 15 minutes. We just reviewed how to add with regrouping. They had a worksheet to do, and they also did their problem of the day.
After Math they went over to Music and when they came back the music teacher said that they were great and they can put in 3 marbles.
I made 5 different stations for our map unit. This was to get us done with our unit. I brought all the kids together and introduced what we were going to do. I gave them directions for each station and then I also wrote out directions. After explaining what we were going to do I let them go to the stations and work. At each station they had 8 minutes and I set the stopwatch to let the kids know how much time they had. I was surprised at how much they enjoyed doing this. After the stations was recess.
When they came in from recess it was Reader’s Theatre with the 3rd grade. Then we finished up and got ready to go home.
After school I preped for the next day and got organized. I also had to correct some papers in 8th grade and get that all ready to go.
3-27-2012
In 8th today we read the Myth of Persephone and the Seasons and did a worksheet. After the worksheet I had them work on their family tree poster that did not get done from the day before. We still did not get done with it, so I am thinking that we are going to have to have a make up friday.
In second grade we did our morning work and our reading groups. Unit 12 finished their books today and will have their tests tomorrow. After that was lunch.
After lunch recess was math. We did a review lesson on subtraction with carrying. They remembered pretty well and got right to work. After that we started the Oviparous unit. I read the book, “Its not just chickens” then we learned some new vocab, “Hatching new words”. I think that it will be a fun unit. Then they went to P.E. and then had recess.
When they came in we worked on our readers theatre and then got ready to go home.
After school I did chores and then went into Missoula.
3-28-2012
In 8th grade we started a really fun project. Each student was assigned a God or Goddess that they had to make a Coat of Arms for. This way they can study one of the Olympians that we are learning about and get to make a project. I gave them the credentials for what they needed on the shield. I told them that they can print off 2 pages to put onto their shields. There is only 4 computers in our 8th grade room, so I sent 3 students into the 7th grade room to use those computers to print stuff off. Braxten was in the 7th grade room, and I was walking back and forth to each room checking on the kids. They were doing good from what I saw and researching their God/Goddess. I thought that everyone was on task. However, a few hours later Mrs. Fickler comes in with a few things that were printed out by Braxten during my class. They were very inappropriate. There was a picture about dropping soad in the shower that had the F word on it. The last letter was cut out, but you could tell what it was. It also said “your gunna get raped son, your gunna get raped”. At lunch Mrs. V and I showed it to Mr. Parke and gave him the papers and let him know what happened. He said that he was going to get a hold of his mom to let her know what is going on. I hate worrying about all this stuff. I thought that since they were in 8th grade that I could trust them to be alone for 3 minutes at a time. I went in there all the time and checked that they were working constantly. Urggg... I am frustrated. After lunch Braxten did come over and talk to me and say that he was sorry for doing that. He said that he knew that it was wrong. But I am still frustrated that he would think to do it.
In second grade life was much easier. We did our morning work and reading groups. The bigger group did their tests today and everyone passed. After reading groups was lunch.
During lunch recess Dylan got into trouble with Mrs. Iva out at recess. She brought him in and tried to make him change 3 cards, but he wouldn’t. So I took him to alta care to calm down.
The rest of the class had Math. We reviewed money. After math we worked on our Oviparous unit and cut out pictures to put on the poster. They looked through magazines and found pictures of all different animals and then either glued them to the oviparous side or the non oviparous side.
After that then they all went to music. The music teacher said that they were all so good that they can all put a marble in.
Then they went out to recess.
When they came in we practiced our Readers Theatre and then we got ready to go home. They had snack while I read to them.
After school I did some prep and then got ready for the next day.
3-29-2012
Sick Day
3-30-2012
Sick Day
____________________________________________________________________Week # 14 4-2-2012
Mrs. Verlanic is gone to Washington D.C. on Close-Up. So I am here subbing all by myself.
In 8th grade today I gave them a work day. Mrs. V told me that the 2 days that I was gone that they worked really hard, but still did not have their stuff all done. So I gave them time to finish their Coat of Arms and their family trees. Some of them did not finish however, so they were going to come in a t lunch and work on them.
In second grade we did our morning work and our reading groups. Everything went good. Most of them got their morning work done before it was lunch, so I had them do Xtra Math and then one center before they played games.
After lunch was math class. We only had math for 15 minutes before we moved onto Music. Before they went to music I told them that they could put marbles in if they were good. But when they came back Dylan had to take a marble out. He was angry and did not want to do it. So I had to go up there with him and make him take them out. When he got back to his desk he threw his pencil. So then I asked him to flip a card. He would not do it, so I had to escort him down to the Altacare. About 5 minutes later the Altacare lady brought Dylan back down here and sat with him. She only stayed for a few minutes, but after that he worked just fine.
We were working on our Oviparous unit. So today we had a fun project. We did Egg Riddles. This is where you research an Oviparous animal and come up with a riddle so that other kids can think and try to choose what animal you are talking about. Then you color the animal and glue to the back, so when you open it you can see the animal. All the kids did a great job and really loved it.
After we did that they had recess. When they came in from recess we had to perform our Easter Reader’s Theatre. The kids did such a great job. Hadley and Tyler were gone, so I filled on for those parts.
After Reader’s Theatre we moved our desks around, and then got ready to go home.
After school I met with the other teachers and we filled eggs for the Easter party. It was fun talking with them and helping them. I also preped for the next day and did the regular chores.
4-3-2012
In 8th grade today I presented a project that I am excited about. We did it for our Language Arts class in college. I assigned each student a new God/Goddess, and they had to do a report on it. But instead of doing a regular report, I am having them do a newspaper article. I did a sample article with Jeanette Rankin and put ads in it along with titles and other things that are found in newspapers. I made them a rubric so that they can see exactly how I am going to be grading them on this project. Today and tomorrow we will be in the computer lab working on these projects.
In second grade we did our morning work and out reading groups. Everything went well and most of the kids got to do Xtra math.
After lunch we worked on our Easter Math Book and finished those. They had to get a ruler and measure in centimeters how far a rabbit hopped. Right before we were done with our math, Mrs. Hauptman our 5th grade teacher brought in the 3 bum lambs that she is taking care of, and the students got to play with them. They enjoyed them, and got to help Mrs. Hauptman carry them back to her room. After we finished the Easter Math Book we went over to first grade and watched, “A Charlie Brown Easter”. While my students were in there I graded some of my 8th grade work.
After the movie, the kids went to P.E.. When they came back it was recess.
After recess my second graders went outside to the front lawn and hid 7 eggs for the Kindergarten students who won’t be around tomorrow. My kids loved doing that. They also loved staying there and giving hints for the hard eggs.
When we went back inside we read our Egg Riddles to Jessi and she got to guess what oviparous animals they were. The kids liked sharing what they made. Then they got ready to go home. We did our chores and got all organized. Then I read to them before the bell rang.
After school I stayed and graded papers, went through paperwork, and did my chores. I wanted to be all caught up before we went on our Spring Break.
4-4-2012
In 8th grade I handed out a lot of papers that I have graded. Then I gave them their bonus question. After taking care of those small things we went down to the computer lab and worked on our Newspaper Articles. Before they left I gave them an Easter treat that I got for them. Some of the kids got their Newspaper Articles done, but the rest are due the day that we get back, April 11th.
In second grade we did not have any morning work. We started our Easter Party. First I told them that there was a job opening that needed to be filled. It was the Easter Bunny. I had applications for them to fill out and then I would choose the Easter Bunny for the day that would help me with a secret mission. They all filled their applications out and Samuel won. I took the applications to all of the teachers and we voted on them. They were all so darn cute. Then the first graders and us got together and we split up for jelly bean centers. 3 centers were in our room and 3 were in the first grade room. They had fun doing those.
During lunch Samuels secret mission was to hide Easter eggs for the rest of his classmates around our room. He had a whole lot of fun doing that.
After lunch we came back in and we listened to a book on tape called Bunny Trouble. It was cute. Then we went up to the football field and did some activities with the rest of the elementary school. When we came back here we had our class party. We had treats and a drink and then Samuel told them about our Easter Egg hunt. They did the hunt, and then it was about time to go home so we did our chores and got ready and they left. The day went by really fast.
After school I cleaned up from our party day, and got things ready for next Wednesday. I will come in over the weekend and finish some things up, but we are headed to Billings.
4-5-2012
Spring Break
4-6-2012
Spring Break______________________________________________________________________
Week # 15
4-9-2012
Spring Break
4-10-2012
Spring Break
4-11-2012
Today is my first day at teaching only ½ days again while I start turning the classroom back over to Mrs. V. I am excited to be getting done with school and getting closer to graduating and having my own classroom, but I am sad that this great experience is coming to a close. I have had the best cooperating teacher that I could have ever asked for who has given me so much.
In 8th grade today we had a finish-up day. I let them finish up their Newspaper article that they were working on. When a student completed that project then they worked on a crossword puzzle that helped them study for the final test that will be next week. The kids were very good and it was a relaxing day with my 8th graders.
In second grade we passed out morning work then I explained the work. During our reading group Mrs. V videotaped me teaching the kids for my last video assignment. It went very well and the students did great.
After lunch I did not teach any more. Mrs. V did the afternoon and they started a new math unit on fractions. I observed for a while then started getting the Mythology Final Test made up.
After school I stayed and worked on grading papers and getting the 8th graders grades done for Mrs. V.
4-12-2012
Sue Peterson came into observe me for my final 2 observations today. She came to watch me in 8th grade. I had a really super fun lesson planned. I assigned each student a god/goddess that they had to make a facebook page about. They would have to study the god/goddess then put down the information that they learned into the facebook page. I made an example and handed out the rubric on what they needed to include and how they would be graded.
When the kids came in I had a projector set up so that when I was going to show them the example it would be big and on the board.
However, everything went horribly wrong. First of all the computer froze and so I could not show the kids my example on the big screen, they all had to gather around a computer and watch me. Then when we went down to the computer lab to start making the facebook pages, the website that we were using went off-line so no one was able to do the assignment. Quickly I ran down and got the jeopardy board that the 5th grade teacher has and had all the students go back to the room. The night before I made up 35 test prep questions and so I stuck them into the jeopardy board game and we began studying for our test that is next week instead. I was so frustrated that the fun technology lesson that I had planned did not go well. But I was very happy that I had a back up plan and that we were able to get something done that day. I guess that is technology for you. Sue said that I was calm and poised the whole time and that she was impressed that I had a back up plan and that I was prepared, so I guess that not everything went badly.
After that we went back and I had a quick meeting with Sue while the second graders were in library.
After they got back from Library Sue observed me with the reading program while I tested the kids. I was happy that she watched the lower of the two reading groups because there is a huge gap between some of the readers in that group. One of the readers even failed their test so she got to see how we handled that verse those who passed with flying colors. She got to see our action plans on how we are going to improve our reading. Sue said that that part went very well too. We had a meeting with her and discussed her notes that she took and then we planned our final meeting.
In the afternoon Mrs. V taught while I organized and got things ready for Mrs. V and me turning the whole class back to her.
After school we worked on lesson plans and did some more prep.
4-13-2012
In 8th grade today it was my last day of teaching. So we decided to play a review game for the final test so that I could make sure that they are ready for it. I split up the students into three groups of 4. I would ask them a question and they got 5 points if it was answered correctly. Then they got to shoot a small ball into the garbage can for extra points. They knew way more that I thought that they would so that made me happy. I enjoyed my time thoroughly with the 8th graders. At first while I was observing I was nervous about teaching them by myself. However, as I gained confidence I was able to enjoy my time as well as my students.
In second grade we did show n tell, and a weekly reader. Then I had them work on the work that was not finished for Mrs. V.
After lunch Mrs. V taught math. Then she went over and had to teach Music because Mrs. Lacy was gone. While she was doing that we finished math and then had a birthday party for Ben whose birthday is on Sunday. His mom brought in cake and juice. Then we got ready to go home because they had to go to guidance.
After school we finished lessons and then headed home.
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Week #16 4-16-2012
This is my finals week. Since I have missed 4 days I had to teach today. So I am teaching in 5th grade. In the morning I had prep. I finished the Mythology final test and worked on my portfolio.
This afternoon the first period we had a Study Hall that they had to work on their castle and facts. When they were done they had to either read or do a dot to dot. After Study Hall the fifth graders had P.E. and the sixth graders had Keyboarding. So I went to Mrs. V’s class and helped finish putting grades into the grade book. Then we had Social Studies. We read together then I split them into groups to work on a worksheet. After Social Studies then I had to go teach 4th Social Studies. We read and worked on questions. When they were done we studied our states and capitals. Then I went back and handed papers to the 5th and 6th graders and then I dismissed them to go home.
4-17-2012
This morning I subbed for 5th grade the first part of the day today. We did reading first and I read one chapter to them while they followed along and then they had to read a chapter on their own. After that they had math class and Mr. Bradshaw taught that so I had a prep. When I got back from that I had to do English with them. We talked about comparisons and then I had to introduce a new project that they were going to be working on. They had to re-write a fairy tail and add details to what was already there. So they had to expound on things.
After English was lunch. I took them over and sat with them but when we got back Mrs. Hauptman was back so I was done subbing for the day.
In the afternoon I went over my paperwork and made sure that I had everything done that we needed to. I worked on my portfolio and got organized.
4-18-2012
This morning I came to school and met with Mrs. V, we looked at our paperwork and went over things that we did. I graded some of the final Mythology test for her, and then I worked on my resume. Some of the teachers here at the school looked at it and gave me feedback on what I should fix.
That afternoon I observed in the 3rd grade room with Tena Popkins. She did calendar on the smartboard and it was very interesting to see that because the 2nd grade room does not have one. They then did a daily paper that had some math and then English that had errors and they needed to fix. This was all done on the smartboard and I enjoyed being able to see that. Then they did Star Student. This is where they choose a student and we get to learn more about them. They bring things from their home and share it with the class, they also have to answer questions about themselves. The kids really enjoy being the center of attention and love that they are the ones in charge.
Tena copied some of her things that she used in her classroom and gave them to me to use in my future classroom. She said that if I ever get a job in 3rd grade that I can use any and all of her stuff and that she would love to train me on the smartboard if I ever needed to. She is so sweet and it was a great opportunity to get to see how another classroom was ran.
4-19-2012
This morning I worked on paperwork and started cleaning out my stuff from the 2nd grade classroom. It was sad to think that this great experience is done here. The teachers at Drummond have all helped me so much and have taught me more than I could have ever imagined.
On Monday the kids got all of their marbles into the jar, so we planned a party for them for this afternoon. We watched a movie and after last recess we had pizza!! The class as well as Mrs. V presented me with a book that they had put together of the time that I had spent with the class. Each student wrote me a note a drew me a picture. I was so touched that I cried. They are such wonderful kids and Mrs. V is the best cooperating teacher that I could have asked for. I can’t imagine a better experience. I brought each of them a star student pencil and eraser. Then I also let them choose their favorite foam stickers to put on their name tags. After our pizza party it was time to go home, so we sent them out the door.
After school Sue and Mrs. V met together for my final grade. They came to a consensus that they wanted to give me an ‘A’. They gave me a lot of feedback when they called me back into the room. They are such powerful teachers and I really appreciate their input and effort.
4-20-2012
This is my official last day of school before I graduate. I have mixed feelings about it. It is bittersweet. I am so excited to graduate and proud of myself that I finished school living an hour out of Missoula and having an 18 month old. It has not been easy, so I feel that it is time to celebrate. On the other hand, I feel like I am lost. While I was student teaching I knew where I was supposed to be and what I was to be doing. I was happy and enjoyed every second of it. Even through the ups and DOWNs I knew that being a teacher is what fit me. I am passionate about my students and learning. Now that I do not have my students or the classroom that I have adopted I feel like I do not know where I should be. I miss my students already, and miss teaching them and seeing them learn.
I have been applying for a few teaching positions and I am hoping that I will find a good fit soon so that I can feel that I have a home again in a classroom.
Today I spent thanking my cooperating teacher as well as all the other faculty in the building. They all have helped me so much and I can never repay them for all they have done for me. I will miss the community feel of Drummond Public Schools and will forever be indebted to them.
